I’ve broken not one heel but both of them. AIBU in not knowing what to do with myself?

[Rescue2024]

I’ve never broken a bone before and here I am with two moon boots on and a creative style of pulling myself up the hall ninja style on my bottom to go to the bathroom.

that’s all I have accomplished today. I’m on my own due to people’s work commitment's although I will have people popping in to make tea and check I’m still sitting where I should be.

i can’t move unless it’s crawling on the floor which isn’t very helpful in the grand scheme of things is it?

I had a very minor fall up then down the stairs, no dramatic story to add other than now, I can’t stand up.
any suggestions on some ways to get around, stop myself Dying of boredom? Always thought I’d like the idea of a few days bedbound but I’m on day2 and it’s not enjoyable.

Face down for 3 days!!! Ok you win, that sounds absolutely awful! I’m never going to complain about operation recovery again!

@NCForQuestions I had never heard of a knee scooter so I looked it up. It looks like a great idea if just one foot/ankle is injured... totally impossible if they are both injured!

When I broke my foot I did chair cardio...a woman on YouTube.

As well as podcasts, box sets, books etc. I'd do some chair yoga/cardio etc

Can you have a bed made up downstairs? If there is a bed and toilet downstairs maybe just get a wheelchair and stay there for the duration? If shower is upstairs, just do a once a week job by bum crawling up and down stairs and using a shower chair?

Yeah I wasn't sure on OPs mobility or size of their home - lots of people couldn't have a wheelchair in their homes, so was trying to think smaller!

I second getting a bed downstairs if at all possible or buying a single if you haven’t got a spare. I had to do this when I broke my ankle. Stairs were impossible for me to negotiate with crutches. I was safer downstairs. Broken bones use energy to heal so you may find you’re more tired than usual, it’s also hard work getting around using wheelchairs, crutches.
Someone loaned me a self propelling wheelchair with a leg extender, the kind with the metal ring on the big wheels, (note, wear fingerless gloves to avoid blisters on your palms.)
I didn’t shower for six weeks, I had a strip down wash at the sink in the kitchen twice a day and washed my hair over it twice a week and made myself a flask of tea every morning and microwave meals kept me going.

Can you crochet or poss learn? It's very simple and you can get supplies from pounds shops or home bargains type places. You could ask someone to pick a few bits up. I find it quite an easy craft do in bed.

Have a look at knee scooters

Have a look at knee scooters

And how would a knee scooter work when you can’t use the other leg? To scoot the knee scooter along? Am I not understanding and there is some type of electric version that allows for both knees in it (if so that’s impressive!)?

Did Occupational Health not talk to you before you were discharged? I had an operation to put a plate in my wrist when I broke that, so was fully mobile, but I was not allowed home until OH had had a chat with me. This was, admittedly, about 15 years ago. Perhaps they don't do that any more.

My next door neighbour bought a cheap second hand sit-on mobility scooter for £200 when he had his ankles in plaster. Used it for 8 weeks till he was able to move around ok then sold it on for the same money! He could get out and about in it, take the dog out, go shopping and everything. I’d definitely do that if I was in the same boat!

Litter picker! Honestly, they're a godsend. DH laughed at my use of a litter picker when I broke a bone, but as soon as he had a bad back, he was straight for using it.

Also, sleep. When I first broke my arm, a friend of mine just told me to sleep and I thought it was a strange thing to say, but my goodness what she right. I slept for Britain for a couple of weeks (the diazepam definitely helped on that front), but I definitely needed it.

Oh, and for entertainment, Netflix, Disney+ (I really enjoyed watching all the Disney films I'd either never seen, or hadn't seen for years - Moana is a fave!), lego and jigsaws!

The latter were impossible for me with a broken arm, but if I'd hurt my feet those would be my go to.

Thank you for all the ideas. Had an private appointment this evening who was happy with what I have been told to do so far, no further advice over stay off my feet for as much as possible and he will review the ct and x-ray results at the end of this week.

I'm going to insist on some physiotherapy and look to return to work working from home hopefully by the end of this week, fingers crossed

I’m sleeping on a very comfy, over made sofas bed, lots of layers and pillows and near to a bathroom, but bladder emptied just. Before bed, it’s comfy

Day 4, pain still the same, all in the heels even with the boots on. Apart from crawling to the bathroom I haven’t moved from my pillow bed on the sofa.

i should be binge watching tv and enjoying the peace and quiet but I just can’t get comfy or pain free.

i have co-codamol, ibuprofen and diazipam, the pain in my hero’s and ankles will not leave me alone.

Are you staggering the medication? May be worth speaking to the GP to ask for codeine rather than co-codamol so you can up the codeine dose and take paracetamol separately (so you don't OD on paracetamol).

They need to know if you need help with the pain relief.

They could also consider a higher dose of ibuprofen or switching you to an alternative in support of the codeine.

Where possible, try not to get to nil drugs in your system - you then have to wait for it to take effect again, which is why staggering codeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen (plus diazepam) is often more effective.

We collected codeine and diazipam today
already had co codamol, paracetamol and ibuprofen

I should try and get through to the gp and check what order goes together to cover the pain, it feels on fire

also picked up a freeze spray which was nice and an ice pack is a relief during the day as well. Still not able to stand up and 2 moon boots with crutches really don’t go together!

No, no one really said anything. I was asked my shoe size, they put a boot on each foot, gave me crutches and wheeled me into the car park.

we discovered 2 boots and crutches are very much impossible when I tried to hobble to the car and fell in a painful lump in the car park floor. DD had to piggy back me into the house when we got home.

apart from using a blanket and a cushion to scoot myself up the hall to the bathroom, I haven’t left our living room since Saturday

Ah, if you haven't had it before then be aware that codeine causes constipation, so make sure you have lots of water and fresh fruit and if necessary get some laxatives, you don't need to add digestive discomfort to your list of pains.

I’m drinking lots of water, was worried about laxatives in case I can’t shuffle to the bathroom in time.

who knew how much fun a couple of heel fractures could be and for possibly 6 weeks!!

If my experience on Codeine is similar to others, you'd need to take the full packet of laxatives to cause any actual urgency.

Thank you, that’s helpful

the codeine has certainly helped more this evening than the co codamol for me. My joints feel much more relaxed and the bruised areas are not so tender. Won’t attempt to stand up of course! It’s just less ridged and stiff

That's not much pain relief.

Hope the codeine helps.

When I broke my foot I was on tramadol and codeine and all kinds of other things.

If you are still in pain after the codeine naproxen sodium might help.